Technical Manager (Monitoring Evaluation and Learning)

With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Employee Contract Type:

Local - Fixed Term Employee (Fixed Term)

Job Description:

Lead the national Design, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (DMEAL) function across all WVE program i.e. APs, grants, PNS, HEA and recovery. Develop and ensure quality implementation of DMEAL framework, and standards governing the MEAL processes across all program from conducting needs-assessment, program designs, guiding program team for adaptive implementation, conducting impact evaluations, and catalyzing learning across progress for innovations, enabling impact at scale. The role will manage, coach and support high impact team of MEAL Specialists leading on day-to-day implementation of DMEAL framework, while collaborating closely with National Technical Sector teams for enhanced integration of DMEAL processes, and quality implementation with fidelity.  This role will work closely and collaborate with WV Global Center and Regional Office in the development of simplified and contextualized DMEAL tools, processes, and guidance, including business process planning that is aligned to the partnership DMEAL broader framework, SI and OIOS. This role should engage with the Local Partnerships Specialist to implement the Localization Roadmap in order to strengthen local partner capacity and deliver targeted training and mentorship where needed; and he/she should build a public profile of being a thought-leader and demonstrate expertise in their area of specialization, in collaboration with the Communications Team, to help build WVE’s reputation

Leadership and Team Building

• Foster a collaborative team environment, providing mentorship and supporting professional development for staff.

Capacity Building

• Support and mentor local institutions (CBOs, FBOs, etc.) and smaller NGOs to enhance their capabilities and ensure compliance with project standards.

Resource Stewardship

• Enforce accountability by ensuring efficient resource utilization, adherence to internal controls, and achieving satisfactory financial and operational audit results

Lead the development of high-quality, contextualized, and impactful programmes or projects, in compliance to WVI and donor standards

• Integrate cross-cutting themes (nexus approach, gender-lens, conflict sensitivity, safeguarding, do no harm, faith & development) to ensure programs are inclusive, context-sensitive, and aligned with WVE values and donor expectations
• Support participatory needs-assessment (including rapid assessment for emergency response, assessments for positioning and proposals, AP assessments) to be conducted across all project areas
• Collaborate with technical specialists and RAM in defining impactful projects, and approaches
• Guide the writing of high-quality AP plans, proposals, and concept notes, in line with WVI and donor standards, in alignment with broader partnership DMEAL framework
• Ensure adoption of OIOS L1 and L2 indicators in all AP plans and grant proposals where possible
• Enable the culture of learning and adaptation, and use of impact data in programme designs
• Contribute to WVE’s acquisition efforts by engaging in external stakeholder relations and proposal preparation to increase funding opportunities in coordination with the RAM and Marketing teams. 

Lead effective project monitoring and adaptation

• Lead the development and implementation of effective M&E plans, integrated targeting guidelines, and monitoring systems and platforms;
• Lead in the integration of MEAL systems across all projects at the national levels, ensuring indicator and impact reporting is centrally managed;
• Guide the MEAL Specialists in rolling out monitoring systems including use of online data collection and tracking tools;
• Facilitate adaptive management with the start-pause-stop model, in collaboration with Project Managers and Technical Sector Specialists
• Guide effective and efficient routine monitoring and data collection ensuring quality and timely access of impact data;
• Ensure project teams have enhanced capacity in quality project monitoring and indicator tracking;
• Provide high-level support in adoption of emergency monitoring systems, ensuring utilization of existing systems, with a focus on cloud-based systems (including LMMS)
• Lead context monitoring using standard WVI and industry tools (FCPA, APA, MSTC, GECARR, etc)
• Collaborate with the accountability team in integrating accountability into M&E systems and frameworks;
• Integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in data collection, processing and reporting where possible, especially in hard-to-reach areas

Lead Impact Evaluations, Research and Learning

• Lead baselines, AIM/AIM+, mid-term and end-line evaluations, plus other impact studies.
• Map and coordinate research across projects and funding streams; ensure quality research frameworks.
• Build a learning culture with the LKM & Innovation Specialist for the whole WVE, documenting Learnings and Evidence of impact (best practices, impact stories, etc)
• Partner with universities and WVI GC/RO; support publications in external journals, in collaboration with Coms department
• Translate impact and research data into clear insights and recommendations for leadership.
• Conduct meta-evaluations to synthesize lessons and strengthen future designs/evaluations.
• Secure ethical approvals from relevant authorities for all evaluation and research.
• Drive evidence-to-action: analyze M&E data, run assessments/operations research, convene regular learning forums, document and disseminate DMEAL innovations, evaluation and operations-audit findings
• Collaborate with external partners for sharing WVE’s impact and best practices, as well as for learning from other partner organizations; Establish data-sharing agreement with WVE’s key partners for child wellbeing
• Capture and share innovations and most significant change stories with Technical, Comms & Marketing and RAM teams to support evidence-based learning, scale-up, and wider stakeholder engagement. 
• Ensure integration of Artificial Intelligence in sharing impact data for ease of access and learning

Lead programmes planning and reporting

• Collaborate with technical sector specialists in guiding the field team in the IPF Adaptation including in the development of contextualized plans at the zonal level
• Lead in the annual AP planning and budgeting process
• Lead the field in the development of donor reports, quality annual and semi-annual reports, including impact/ reach reporting to the WVI/GC/RO
• Ensure timely and quality closure reports are done for projects and APs
• Coordinate government/statutory reporting (FDRE/ACSO)

Lead Strategy Monitoring and Reporting

• Track the national strategy using the established M&E systems and tools that provide information on progress being made on each of the indicators in the strategy, and flag issues for leadership action
• Prepare and disseminate appropriate periodic reports for leadership and respective partners (AC, RO, SST, etc)

Digital transformation with AI integration

• Collaborate with GTD to streamline digital platforms and systems
• Provide technical guidance to DMEAL teams in line with utilization of MIS systems such as Horizon, iMPAQ, GIS, CVA/DG Databases, SMAP, mWater, LMMS, One Monitoring Tool, etc.
• Roll out partnership initiatives such as iMPAQ, OIOS, AIM/AIM+, SI/SFP, etc.
• Provide meaningful data summaries and visualization to demonstrate impact of WV interventions using digital and AI capabilities
• Provide leadership on digital transformation and AI integration in key business DMEAL process enhancement and simplification; ensure consistent and ethical use of digital systems and AI (including data protection, in alignment with local and global standards and requirements)

Ensure improved monitoring and evaluation processes by building an effective M&E culture, and enhance capacity of staff in monitoring and evaluation

• Collaborate with technical specialists to build their capacities on monitoring and evaluation
• Lead the integrated competency assessments for MEAL team and collaborate with P&C in defining competency development plan
• Guide the DMEAL capacity development plan and its implementation, ensuring also that it aligns with partnership priorities
• Engage with the Local Partnerships Specialist to implement the Localization Roadmap in order to strengthen local partner capacity and deliver targeted training and mentorship where needed.  Capture and share innovations and most significant change stories with Technical, MEAL, Comms, Marketing and RAM teams to support evidence-based learning, scale-up, and wider stakeholder engagement. 
• Integrate cross-cutting themes (nexus approach, gender-lens, conflict sensitivity, safeguarding, do no harm, faith & development) to ensure programs are inclusive, context-sensitive, and aligned with WVE values and donor expectations. 
• Contribute to WVE’s acquisition efforts by engaging in external stakeholder relations and proposal preparation to increase funding opportunities in coordination with the RAM and Marketing teams. 
• Build a public profile of being a thought-leader and demonstrate expertise in their area of operate in collaboration with the Communications Team to help build WVE’s reputation. (grade 17+) 

Required Education, training, license, registration, and/or Certification

• Master’s Degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Statistics, Public Health, Demography, Development Studies (or related) required ​

Required Professional Experience

• 7-10 years of experience
• Progressive MEAL leadership across development and humanitarian portfolios, with multi-site matrix management experience and strong donor interface (USG/FCDO/ECHO/UN).

Required Language(S)

• Amharic
• English

Position’S Physical Requirements

• Field visits and monitoring;
• Prolonged screen/desk work;
• Ability to operate in high-pressure environments during emergencies.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge and/or Key Competencies

• Model Self-Management
• Engage, Influence, Lead and Grow Others
• Run an Effective and Agile Organization
• Develop the Organization for the Future

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local Applicants Only